By Roman Kulkewycz
Irene “Rene” Burns, who lived in Garfield North for 81 years, celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends at the Hillview Bunyip Aged Care reception hall on Sunday18 June.
Born at the Blackburn Private Hospital on 16 June, 1927, Irene commenced her education at Narre Warren Primary School and completed her primary education at Garfield North Primary School.
Irene had two sisters and two brothers who are deceased.
In her younger days, she picked apples for parish brothers in Garfield and at night worked in their shed, packing apples.
She met and fell in love with a handsome young man named Dennis, and the couple married at the Balwyn Church of Christ on 16 June, 1948, which was Irene’s 21st birthday. The couple settled at Garfield North where Dennis set up a sawmill business. Later, he branched out to doing bulldozer work and then operated a gravel quarry on their property.
The couple had four children- June, Garry, Marion and Helen. Sadly, Dennis passed away in 1991, and Irene continued to live on the property.
Irene has nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
When asked for her most memorable moment, Irene laughs as she recalls the day she drove a large herd of cattle along the Princes Highway from Narre Warren to Brew Road, Garfield North.
Although she can’t do as much in the garden as she used to, Irene has kept herself busy by making knitted stuffed toys and knitted coat hangers.
With the help of others, she sells these at a craft stall during Hillview’s annual Quilt and Craft Show. All of the proceeds are donated to Hillview Aged Care.
Irene’s philosophy on life involves three simple things: clean living, looking after self and helping others.
